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United States Patent |
6,023,809
|
Demetriades
|
February 15, 2000
|
Liquid polish applicator and method of making same
Abstract
An article for applying a liquid composition on a hard surface which may be
allowed to dry and then be buffed to provide a lustrous finish generally
comprising a handle, an applicator comprising a single strand of at least
one continuous filament disposed in a winding pattern, providing a
plurality of segments disposed in side-by-side relation having looped end
portions and structure for securing such segments together, and structure
for securing such applicator to the handle.
Inventors:
|
Demetriades; Peter G. (Henderson, NC)
|
Assignee:
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ETC of Henderson, Inc. (Henderson, NC)
|
Appl. No.:
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719095 |
Filed:
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September 24, 1996 |
Current U.S. Class: |
15/229.1; 15/229.2; 15/229.4; 15/229.8; 300/21 |
Intern'l Class: |
A47L 013/20; A47L 013/28 |
Field of Search: |
15/228,229.1-229.9
300/21
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2238432 | Apr., 1941 | Myers | 15/229.
|
3246356 | Apr., 1966 | Sorrells | 15/229.
|
3324497 | Jun., 1967 | Moss | 15/229.
|
3336620 | Aug., 1967 | Moss | 15/229.
|
3425085 | Feb., 1969 | Moss | 300/21.
|
3449784 | Jun., 1969 | Moss | 300/21.
|
3520017 | Jul., 1970 | Moss | 15/229.
|
3633975 | Jan., 1972 | Argeris et al. | 15/229.
|
3696460 | Oct., 1972 | Moss | 15/229.
|
3822435 | Jul., 1974 | Moss | 15/229.
|
3962743 | Jun., 1976 | Moss | 15/229.
|
4085476 | Apr., 1978 | Moss | 15/229.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
1434415 | May., 1976 | GB | 300/21.
|
Primary Examiner: Spisich; Mark
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lalos & Keegan
Claims
I claim:
1. An Article for applying a liquid composition on a hard surface which may
be allowed to dry and then buffed to provide a lustrous finish,
comprising:
a handle;
an applicator comprising a single strand of at least one continuous
filament comprised of a material which is nonabsorbent relative to said
liquid composition, disposed in a winding pattern, providing a plurality
of segments having looped end portions, and means for securing said
segments together; and
means for securing said applicator to said handle.
2. An article according to claim 1 wherein said continuous filament
comprises a synthetic material.
3. An article according to claim 1 wherein said continuous filament
consists of a material selected from a group consisting of a polyamide,
polyester, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl, tetrafluorethylene, polyethylene,
polypropylene, rayon, rayon acetate, rayon viscose and cellulose acetate.
4. An article according to claim 1 wherein said strand consists of at least
two continuous filaments intertwined.
5. An article according to claim 1 wherein said means for securing said
segments together comprises at least one band encompassing said strand
segments, having portions thereof stitched together with said strand
segments interposed therebetween.
6. An article according to claim 5 wherein said means for securing said
strand segments together further includes a band encompassing said strand
segments between said at least one band and a set of looped end portions
of said strand segments, having portions thereof stitched together with
said strand segments interposed therebetween.
7. An applicator attachable to a handle for applying a liquid composition
on a hard surface which may be allowed to dry and then buffed to provide a
lustrous finish, comprising:
a single strand of at least one continuous filament comprised of a material
which is nonabsorbent relative to said liquid composition, disposed in a
winding pattern, providing a plurality of segments having looped end
portions disposed in side-by-side relation; and means for securing said
segments together.
8. An applicator according to claim 7 wherein said continuous filament
comprises a synthetic material.
9. An applicator according to claim 7 wherein said continuous filament
consists of a material selected from a group consisting of a polyamide,
polyester, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl, tetrafluorethylene, polyethylene,
polypropylene, rayon, rayon acetate, rayon viscose and cellulose acetate.
10. An applicator according to claim 7 wherein said strand consists of at
least two continuous filaments intertwined.
11. An applicator according to claim 7 wherein said means for securing said
strand segments together comprises at least one band encompassing said
strand segments, having portions thereof stitched together with said
strand segments interposed therebetween.
12. An applicator according to claim 11 wherein said means for securing
said strand segments together further includes a band encompassing said
strand segments between said at least one band and a set of looped end
portions of said segments, having portions thereof stitched together with
said strand segments interposed therebetween.
13. An article for applying a liquid composition on a hard surface which
may be allowed to dry and then buffed to provide a lustrous finish,
comprising:
a handle having a support member attached thereto;
an applicator comprising a backing member disposed on said support member,
a single strand of at least one continuous filament comprised of a
material which is nonabsorbent relative to said liquid composition,
disposed in a winding pattern on said backing member, providing a
plurality of segments disposed in side-by-side relation and having looped
end portions, and means for securing said segments together; and
means for securing said applicator to said handle with said backing member
disposed on said support member.
14. An article according to claim 13 wherein said continuous filament
comprises a synthetic material.
15. An article according to claim 13 wherein said continuous filament
consists of a material selected from a group consisting of a polyamide,
polyester, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl, tetrafluorethylene, polyethylene,
polypropylene, rayon, rayon acetate, rayon viscose and cellulose acetate.
16. An article according to claim 13 wherein said strand consists of at
least two continuous filaments intertwined.
17. An article according to claim 13 wherein said strand segments are
severed intermediately looped end portions thereof providing a plurality
of free end portions of said strand segments disposed between said looped
end portions.
18. An applicator attachable to a support member of a handle for applying a
liquid composition on a hard surface which may be allowed to dry and then
buffed to provide a lustrous finish, comprising:
a backing member disposable on said support member;
a single strand of at least one continuous filament comprised of a material
which is nonabsorbent relative to said liquid composition, disposed in a
winding pattern on said backing member, providing a plurality of segments
disposed in side-by-side relation having looped end portions;
means for securing said strand segments to said backing member; and
means for securing said backing member with said strand segments secured
thereto on said support member.
19. An applicator according to claim 18 wherein said continuous filament
comprises a synthetic material.
20. An applicator according to claim 18 wherein said continuous filament
consists of a material selected from a group consisting of a polyamide,
polyester, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl, tetrafluorethylene, polyethylene,
polypropylene, rayon, rayon acetate, rayon viscose and cellulose acetate.
21. An applicator according to claim 18 wherein said strand consists of at
least two continuous filaments intertwined.
22. An applicator according to claim 18 wherein said looped end portions of
said strand segments extend beyond edge portions of backing member.
23. An applicator according to claim 18 wherein said backing member is
formed of a nonwoven material.
24. An applicator according to claim 18 wherein said backing member
includes a pocket in which said support member of said handle may be
received to attach said applicator to said handle.
25. An applicator according to claim 24 including means for securing said
support member in said pocket.
26. An applicator according to claim 18 wherein said backing member
includes a bottom panel engageable with a first surface of said support
member, a pair of upper panels having a pair of spaced, opposed edges
providing a slit therebetween for inserting said support member
therethrough for attaching said applicator to said handle, and secured to
said bottom panel to provide a pocket for receiving said support member
through an opening provided by separating said upper panels to enlarge the
opening provided by said slit, and means for securing said upper panels
together when said support member is received within said pocket.
27. An applicator according to claim 18 wherein said strand segments are
severed intermediate their ends to provide a plurality of free ends
disposed between said looped end portions.
28. A method of making an applicator attachable to a handle for applying a
liquid composition on a hard surface which may be allowed to dry and be
buffed to provide a lustrous finish, comprising:
laying a strand consisting of at least one continuous filament comprised of
a material which is nonabsorbent relative to said liquid composition in a
winding pattern providing a plurality of segments disposed in side-by-side
relation having looped end portions; and
securing at least one binding strip across said strand segments between
said looped end portions.
29. A method according to claim 28 wherein said binding strip consists of a
band encompassing said strand segments, and wherein opposed portions of
said band are secured together with portions of said strand segments
interposed therebetween.
30. A method according to claim 28 including a first binding strip disposed
between said looped end portions of said strand segments, and second and
third binding strips, each disposed between said first binding strip and a
set of looped end portions of said strand segments.
31. A method according to claim 30 wherein each of said binding strips
consists of a band encompassing said strand segments, and wherein opposed
portions of each of said bands are secured together with portions of said
strand segments interposed therebetween.
32. A method of making an applicator attachable to a support member of a
handle for applying a liquid composition on a hard surface which may be
allowed to dry and be buffed to provide a lustrous finish, comprising:
laying a strand consisting of at least one continuous filament comprised of
a material which is nonabsorbent relative to said liquid composition in a
winding pattern providing a plurality of segments disposed in side-by-side
relation having looped end portions, on a backing member connectable to
said support member of said handle; and
securing said strand segments to said backing member, intermediate the loop
end portions thereof.
33. A method according to claim 32 including severing said strand segments
intermediate the looped end portions thereof.
34. A method according to claim 32 including providing means for attaching
said backing member to said support member of said handle.
35. A method according to claim 32 wherein said continuous filament
consists of a synthetic material.
36. A method according to claim 32 wherein said strand consists of at least
two continuous filaments intertwined.
37. A method according to claim 32 wherein the lengths of said strand
segments are formed of sufficient length so that looped end portions
thereof extend beyond edges of said backing member.
Description
This invention relates to an improved applicator and more particularly to
an applicator for applying a liquid composition on a hard surface which
may be allowed to dry and be buffed to provide a lustrous finish. The
invention further contemplates an improved method of making such an
applicator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the care of floor surfaces in various commercial, governmental and
industrial building facilities, it has been the conventional practice for
janitorial personnel to periodically strip the floor surfaces in such
facilities of a previously applied protective polish, apply several coats
of a liquid polish, usually a polymer composition, allow the liquid polish
to dry and then buff the dried polish to provide a lustrous, protective
finish. Such floor surfaces typically consist of wooden, resilient tile,
ceramic tile and even cement surfaces which are intended to be protected
and provide an aesthetic and pleasing appearance. In applying the liquid
polish, it further has been the conventional practice to use a wet-type or
flat-type mop or applicator for uniformly spreading the liquid polish on
the floor surface. Such polish must be uniformly spread and allowed to dry
before the buffing operation. Usually, several coats of polish are applied
and allowed to dry prior to the buffing operation. The buffing typically
is performed by high speed machines equipped with rotary brushes which
engage and buff a thin coat of dried polish to provide a lustrous finish.
Typically, wet-type or flat-type applicators used by janitorial personnel
in spreading the liquid polish on floor surfaces essentially consist of a
handle and a bundle or flat array of yarns attached to the handle. Such
yarns traditionally have consisted of spun, natural staples or fibers of
perhaps wool or cotton having individual lengths of up to six to seven
inches.
When applicators of the type utilizing yarns of spun staples or fibers are
used in spreading liquid polish on floor surfaces in the procedure as
described, it has been found that breaks or voids occur in the finished,
polished surface. It further has been found that such breaks or voids
result from staples or fibers of spun yarn applicators breaking or tearing
loose from applicator yarns and becoming entrapped in the dried coat of
polish applied to the floor surface. Because of the often greater
thickness of the staples or fibers than the thickness of the dried coat of
polish on the floor surface, the high speed rotation of the buffing
brushes will engage and strip away the exposed staples, leaving a break or
void in the finished, polished coating on the floor surface. The stripping
of such entrapped staples or fibers not only detracts from the aesthetic
appearance of a lustrous floor surface but exposes the underlying floor
material to the deleterious effects of scuffing and the elements.
It thus has been found to be desirable to provide an applicator for
spreading a liquid polish on a floor surface which is to be allowed to dry
and be buffed to a lustrous finish, in which components of the applicator
will not break or tear loose during the use of the applicator in spreading
the liquid polish on the floor surface and become entrapped in the dried
polish, to be stripped away during the buffing operation and thus leave a
break or void in the finished floor surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally consists of an article for applying a
liquid polish on a hard surface such as a floor surface of a building,
which is allowed to dry and be buffed, usually by a high speed, rotary
buffing machine utilizing one or more brushes, to provide a lustrous
finish, comprising a handle, an applicator comprising a single strand of
at least one continuous filament, laid in a winding pattern to provide a
plurality of side by side segments with looped ends, with means for
securing the intermediate portions of the strand segments together, and
means for attaching such applicator to such handle. In one embodiment of
the invention, the applicator is formed in a bundle and secured to the
handle by a conventional stirrup as in a wet-type mop or applicator. In
another embodiment of the invention, the applicator is secured to a
backing member which is adapted to be attached to a support member secured
to a handle as in a flat-type mop or applicator.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wet-type mop or applicator embodying the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flat-type mop or applicator embodying the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view of the applicator used in the
assembly shown in FIG. 1, detached from the handle and laid out in a flat
condition;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 3, illustrating the
binding bands of the strand segments broken away and partially removed,
and the pattern in which the single strand of the applicator is laid;
FIG. 5 is an enlargement of a portion of the single strand designated in
FIG. 4, illustrating two continuous filaments intertwined;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 5, illustrating a
portion of a single strand utilizing three continuous filaments
intertwined;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged, perspective bottom view of the applicator used in
the assembly shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged, perspective top view of the applicator used in the
assembly shown in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 9 is a view similar to the view shown in FIG. 7, illustrating a
modification of the applicator.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 through 5 of the drawings, there is illustrated
a wet-type mop or applicator assembly 10 embodying one version of the
present invention which generally includes a handle 11, an applicator 12
and a stirrup 13 for detachably securing the applicator to the handle. The
applicator is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and consists of a single strand
14 secured together by a head band 15 and a pair of tail bands 16 and 17.
Strand 14 is laid out in a winding pattern providing a plurality of side
by side segments 18 having looped end portions 19 and 20. Head band 15 and
tail bands 16 and 17 encompass strand segments 18 disposed in side by side
relation, and are stitched together with portions of the strand segments
interposed therebetween to provide a bundle of strand segments which are
attached to the operating handle by means of the stirrup. Strand 14 may
consist of a single continuous filament, two continuous filaments 20 and
21 intertwined as shown in FIG. 5 or a greater number of continuous
filaments intertwined as shown in FIG. 6. Preferably, each of the
continuous filaments is formed of a non-absorbent, synthetic material.
Examples of suitable materials include polyamides, polyesters,
polyacrylonitriles, polyvinyls, tetrafluorethylene, polyethylene,
polypropylene, rayon, rayon acetate, rayon viscose and cellulose acetate.
Bands 15, 16 and 17 may be formed of any suitable material and may be
secured together with the strand segments interposed therebetween by any
suitable means but preferably by stitching.
In the manufacture of the applicator as shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, band
strips 15, 16, and 17 are first laid on a flat working surface with head
band strip 15 disposed longitudinally in the middle and tail band strips
16 and 17 disposed longitudinally and spaced laterally to opposite sides
of the head band strip. Beginning at one end, strand 14 consisting of
either a single continuous filament, or two or more continuous filaments
intertwined, is laid down across the band strips in a winding pattern so
that intermediate strand segments 18 are disposed transversely relative to
and overlie the band strips and the looped end portions thereof project
laterally relative to the tail band strips. With strand segments 18 lying
in side-by-side relation as shown in FIG. 4, the free ends of the band
strips are folded up over the strand segments so that the band segments
encompass the strand segments, and the strip segments overlying and
underlying the strand segments are stitched together to provide the
applicator as shown in FIG. 3 with portions of the strand segments
securely interposed between the band strap segments and the looped end
portions of the strand segments projecting laterally of head bands 16 and
17. The applicator is then in a condition to be attached to a stirrup
provided at the end of a handle to provide an assembly as shown in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7 through 9, there is shown a flat-type mop or
applicator embodying a different version of the invention which includes a
handle 30 having a substantially rectangularly shaped, support panel
member 31 secured at a free end thereof, and an applicator 32. As best
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the applicator consists of a backing member 33 and
a single strand 34 of at least one continuous filament. The backing member
is adapted to receive support member 31 therein and consists of a bottom
panel 35 adapted to underlie support member 31, a pair of upper panels 36
and 37 adapted to overlie support member 31, secured along the ends
thereof to bottom panel 35 and providing a slit therebetween which may be
enlarged to insert support member 31 therethrough when attaching the
applicator on the support member, and through which handle 30 would
extend, and two sets of ties 38 and 39 each of which may be tied together
to maintain support member 31 within the backing member.
Similarly to strand 14, strand 34 is laid transversely across bottom panel
35 of the backing member in a winding pattern with intermediate strand
segments 40 disposed in side-by-side relation along the longitudinal
length of bottom panel 35, and looped end portions 41 and 42 extending
laterally beyond the side edges of the bottom panel as shown in FIGS. 7
and 8. The strand segments are secured to bottom panel 35 by means of rows
of stitches 43 and 44 and rows of stitches 45 and 46 which not only secure
portions of strand segments 40 to bottom panel 35 but secure panels 36 and
37 in overlying relation relative to bottom panel 35. As in the previously
discussed embodiment, the continuous filament or intertwined continuous
filaments forming strand 34 preferably are formed of a synthetic,
non-absorbent material of the types previously described. The backing
member may be formed of any sturdy, flexible material although it is
preferred that such member be formed of a nonwoven material. The handle
and support member attached thereto may be formed of wood, a plastic or a
metallic material.
Applicator 32 may be manufactured by first cutting a rectangular piece of
backing material, preferably a nonwoven material, and placing it on a flat
working surface. Strand 34 may then be laid on the back panel in a winding
pattern forming strand segments 40 and end loop portions 41 and 42, with
the strand segments disposed in side-by-side relation along the length of
the bottom panel. The strand segments are then secured to the bottom panel
by rows of stitches 43 and 44. After the ties are stitched to the inner
sides of the material to form panels 36 and 37, the piece of material is
inverted, the side portions of the piece of material are folded inwardly
to the positions shown in FIG. 8 with the opposed edges thereof disposed
in opposed relation to provide a slit therebetween, and upper panels 36
and 37, bottom panel 35 and outer portions of strand segments 40 are
stitched together by rows of stitches, 45 and 46 and the end portions of
panels 36 and 37 are stitched to the bottom panel to complete the
applicator. The completed applicator will thus have single strand 34
secured to the underside of bottom panel 35 with strand segments 40 being
disposed transversely relative to the bottom panel in side-by-side
relation along the length of the bottom panel, with the looped end
portions 41 and 42 thereof projecting laterally beyond the side edges of
the bottom panel.
The applicator as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be attached to handle 30 to
provide a flat-type mop or applicator as shown in FIG. 2 simply by
separating the inner sides of upper panels 36 and 37 to enlarge the slit
therebetween, inserting support member 31 of the handle through the
enlarged opening and into the pocket formed between the upper and lower
panels of the backing member and simply tying the ties together to prevent
the detachment of the applicator from the support member.
FIG. 9 illustrates an applicator 50 which consists of a modification of the
applicator shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. It is essentially identical to the
applicator shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 except that strand segments 51
comparable to strand segments 40 are severed between rows of stitches 52
and 53 which provide a plurality of free ends 54 and 55 of strand segments
51 disposed along the center of the applicator which have the effect of
coacting with looped end portions 56 and 57 to provide a more effective
and uniform distribution of the liquid composition being spread by the use
of the applicator assembly.
In any of the embodiments of the invention described, it will be
appreciated that by the use of continuous filaments in the strands used to
engage and spread the liquid composition being applied, no portions of
such filaments will break or tear away from the applicator and become
entrapped or embedded in the applied composition which could be dislodged
by the brushing action of a buffer, leaving a break or void in the coating
applied. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that by reason of the use of
continuous filaments formed of a nonabsorbent material with a plurality of
looped end portions, the liquid composition applied to the floor surface
will be more easily and uniformly applied. In addition, it will be
appreciated that by severing the intermediate portions of the strand
segments in the flat-type applicator as described, further terminal but
firmly secured portions of the liquid composition spreading means is
provided which results in an easier and more uniform application of the
composition.
From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are
a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present
invention which come within the province of those having ordinary skill in
the art to which the aforementioned invention pertains. However, it is
intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the
invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by
the appended claims.
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